Since the 1970s, Scottsdale has outlawed ice cream trucks and other street vendors, a ban that arose out of concerns about drug deals and illegal activities, city officials said.

Scottsdale is one of the few, if only, major Valley cities that bans ice cream trucks along public roadways.

A proposal to lift the ban has drawn concerns from residents, who fear it could lead to increased crime and safety issues including street accidents involving children.

The change would allow dessert trucks only, but not hot food vendors, a city representative said.

Supporters say the ordinance opens the door for more legitimate businesses and curbs the potential for illegal activities, requiring truck owners to obtain licenses and undergo fingerprinting and background checks.

Right now, ice cream trucks are known to roam the city's streets illegally, city officials say.

Scottsdale allows food trucks on properties if they are invited by a company or organization, said J.P. Twist, chief of staff to Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane.

As for the other trucks, "They're out there unlicensed," Twist said, adding that the new ordinance "is a way to regulate that."

To curb noise complaints, ice cream trucks stopped on residential streets would be required to turn off their trademark jingles.

In addition, Twist said vendors would be limited to selling food from sunrise to sunset and cannot return to the same spot within 48 hours. They would remain banned from commercial zones unless invited by a company or organization.

Lane said he supports the new ordinance and plans to call it "Leo's Law," after local teen Leo Blavin.

Blavin, 17, contacted Lane's office last year after learning that his family's ice-cream truck business would be illegal in Scottsdale. Blavin and his father founded Leo's Ice Cream last year, serving the Arcadia neighborhood in east Phoenix.

"Ideally we'd like to cater to the Scottsdale neighborhoods more," Blavin said of the business. "I know there is definitely a desire."

Blavin recalled growing up in Scottsdale, "and never seeing an ice cream truck."

When it comes to business growth, Lane said Scottsdale would "like to be less restrictive, rather than overly restrictive."

So far the proposal has drawn mixed reviews from residents.

"Nobody should want any strangers unannounced and uninvited, simply cruising through the neighborhood," said Scottsdale resident Ed Lisogar.

Lisogar said his north Scottsdale neighborhood has already battled numerous break-ins during the last nine months. He believes allowing street vendors would exacerbate crime and lead to more criminals casing neighborhoods.

"It's a very poorly thought-out proposal," Lisogar said. "The last thing we want are strangers cruising through our neighborhood, regardless of what the pretense is. If I'm hungry, I'll cook it myself or I'll get on my bike and ride to the corner store."

On a similar note, resident Joel Peterson said there is no need for street vendors since food is readily available

"There is a safety issue with vehicles and people," Peterson said in an e-mail to the city.

Sgt. Mark Clark, a Scottsdale police spokesman, said the department hasn't received any complaints or concerns about ice cream trucks. Police are recommending that parents speak to their kids about safety concerns before they let them buy from an ice cream truck, he said.

As written now, the ordinance forbids on-site food preparation for the mobile trucks, maintaining the ban on hot food vendors, Twist said.

However, some residents believe the city should take the law a step further, allowing mobile food trucks that serve gourmet hot eats, which are trending across the country.

Revae Stuart, a south Scottsdale resident, said she watches television programs that highlight exotic street vendors in New York, Los Angeles and other cities.

"I would like the metro Phoenix area to have what's offered in those other major cities, and be able to carry such a reputation as well," Stuart said.

Food trucks don't require much real estate, "yet they contribute well to the community with regard to sales tax," Stuart added.

John D'Amato fondly remembers the ice-cream trucks that stopped in his neighborhood as a child.

The memories are a reason D'Amato, a New York native, launched a Mister Softee franchise in Maricopa County three years ago. He supports lifting the ban in Scottsdale.

"If I'm done with an event in Scottsdale and it's 3 o'clock in the afternoon, I'd like to go out and drive the neighborhoods and sell ice cream," D'Amato said.